Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Marcus… I”—he ran his hand over his face—“I can’t do this right now. I need to get her bottle.”
He moved into the kitchen and stood against the counter, wrapping his hands around the edge. He filled her bottle with water, but when he returned to the room, Marcus was wrapped around her as she lay sleeping.
Keeping her safe.
Looking after her.
He should be with them, looking after them both. Making sure she got better and reassuring Marcus that he wasn’t going anywhere. He moved quietly into the room and set the bottle down.
He couldn’t stay here any longer. He felt like an intruder. Everything he wanted was right here.
And he was too scared to take it…
Chapter 23
Marcus could feel Eliot pulling further back.
For the past two days, Eliot had done everything he could to take care of Isla. He’d fed her bottles of water. Carried her to the toilet. Held her in the night when she’d been wracked by nightmares.
But it was like the light had gone out of him.
Marcus found himself both wishing he would leave and dreading it. Fortunately, her fever broke after twenty-four hours. Seemed Doc had been right about it being a virus. But that didn’t seem to ease the pain he sometimes saw on Eliot’s face. Especially as she cried out for him, calling him Daddy.
He was pulling away, guarding himself, and Marcus knew he should do the same. But he’d never been good at protecting himself from emotional pain.
This had been a mistake.
He didn’t need a Daddy. All he needed was Isla, Cullen, and Ivy.
Right… you don’t want a Daddy because the only one you want is Eliot.
For a smart guy, he was really dumb.
“Marcus?” Isla asked.
“Hey, La-la, how you doing?” he asked, turning over in the bed to look at her.
“Tired, but better. I can think, anyway. I’m so sorry I ruined the Easter egg hunt.”
He gave her a furious look. “Don’t even start with me, brat. I don’t care if you’ve just been sick, I’ll spank your butt.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
“Besides, there are going to be heaps of Easters and egg hunts. There’s only one La-la and I love her more than anything.”
She eyed him. “What’s wrong?”
“What? A guy can’t say nice things to his girl?”
“I love it when you say nice things. But I think you’re hiding something from me.” She moved around, wincing.
“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously. “Are you in pain?”
“Urgh, I have to pee.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I was worried it was something serious.”
“It is serious! I’m about to wet myself.” She moved to the edge of the bed. “Hope I can make it in time.”
“Wait right there, missy. I’ll help you.”
“I can do it.”
“You can’t. You’ll fall on your face and then wet yourself.”
“Marcus!”
“I half-expected Eliot to put you in diapers.” He wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Marcus!” She was blushing.
Hmm. Maybe he should have done it.
“Where is Eliot?” she asked.
“He went back to his room. He’s been staying in the other bedroom while you were sick. But he probably wanted a change of clothes.”
And some space from them.
“You need me to help you?” he asked as they reached the toilet.
“No!”
“Why so horrified? Who do you think has been helping you all this time?”
“Marcus! Out!”
He ran out with a grin that quickly faded as he saw Eliot standing in the bedroom.
“Sounds like she’s doing a lot better.”
“She is. Still shaky but feeling good.”
Eliot stared at the bathroom door, and there was such a look of raw hunger on his face that Marcus’ heart started racing. Maybe… maybe he was wrong.
Perhaps the other man wasn’t about to walk away from them.
The bathroom door opened, and Isla shakily walked out. Eliot jumped forward but stopped at the last moment as Marcus reached her.
And that’s when he knew he was wrong.
“Eliot!” she said with a smile. She looked so happy to see him.
“Hey, Isla. You’re looking a lot better.”
Her smile drooped as he stayed where he was. Marcus helped her back to the bed.
“I’ll go order you something light to eat. Do you have any preferences? I’ll call the doctor too to let him know you’re feeling much better. Do you need anything else?”
“I… no.” She chewed her lip. “There’s something wrong, isn’t there? Why do I feel like this is the end?”
* * *
Her stomach started clenching, and it wasn’t due to her recent illness. She felt weak and tired, but she was thinking much more clearly.
And she could see she’d missed something big.
“What do you mean?” Eliot asked.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Marcus asked.
“Not right this minute,” Eliot replied. “I wouldn’t leave the two of you while Isla is ill.”
But she wasn’t ill anymore. And if that was the only thing keeping him here…
Then it was time to say goodbye.
She’d been so foolish, hoping it wouldn’t come to this.